Just Another Manic Monday: 6 Picture Books for Kids Who Don’t Want the Weekend to End

I Love You All Day Long, by Francesca Rusackas, illustrated by Priscilla Burris
All Owen the pig wants to know is whether he has to go to school today. His mommy says yes, but she explains how whether they are apart or together, she loves him all day long. Whether he is doing something good, like making a new friend, or when things are not going so well, like when he accidentally burps at lunch, she always loves him! A comforting book for young kids and older kids alike, the message will hit home for children who aren’t quite ready for the day to start.

What a Wonderful World, based on the Song by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss as sung by Louis Armstrong, illustrated by Tim Hopgood
If this beautifully illustrated picture book based on the well-loved and famous song sung by Louis Armstrong doesn’t cheer you up, maybe you should stay in bed. A great book to read to encourage your children to see the positives in the week ahead and the beauty in the world around them, What a Wonderful World will bring optimism and poetry to their day.

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
My children love the sweet idea in this story of The Kissing Hand. Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school and leave his mother, but Mrs. Raccoon reminds him that we all have to do things we don’t want to do at some point. But that if she kisses his hand, he can hold it up to his cheek and think of her anytime he needs to remember her love. Your children will enjoy this reassuring picture book of how a parent’s love is with you all the time.

Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin, art by James Dean (creator of Pete the Cat)
Pete the Cat knows what’s up. He’s got his red school shoes on, and he’s rocking to class! From the school bus to the library to the lunchroom, Pete the Cat doesn’t worry about what’s going on around him. He just keeps singing his song, enjoying his day. It’s all about attitude, after all. Your kids will love singing along with him.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz
Alexander is having a bad day and wants to move to Australia. He gets smushed in carpool, he doesn’t get the sneakers he wants, and he has to eat lima beans for dinner. You and your kids will love reading this classic about Alexander and his day, remembering it can always be worse, and more than likely their day won’t include waking up with gum in their hair or fighting in the mud with their brothers. Or maybe it will. But it’s also good to learn that everyone has a bad day once in a while, and that’s okay, too.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School, by Lauren Child
Featuring the adorable Charlie and Lola (of I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato fame), I Am Too Absolutely Small for School is a very cute story with entertaining illustrations. Lola is starting school but doesn’t want to go, and her big brother Charlie is trying to explain all she will learn, like counting to one hundred, and writing, so she can send a letter to Santa Claus. While this book focuses on the first day of school, it can still encourage kids on any day by reminding them of all the good things they are learning at school and the fun they have there.
What’s your go-to book when your kids get a case of the Mondays?